Skip to main content

View Post [edit]

Poster: stratocaster Date: Dec 22, 2010 9:01pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: hey cliff

for your money, is this the best europe 72 show?

http://www.archive.org/details/gd72-05-11.sbd.ashley-bertha.7364.sbefail.shnf

Reply [edit]

Poster: snori Date: Dec 23, 2010 7:26am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

I'm easily influenced by the most recently listened to, but I think over the years 26/5 is the one I go back to most.

Reply [edit]

Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Dec 22, 2010 9:37pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

I don't jnow which Europe '72 show I think is the best Strat, it's just too hard to say.

4/14 and 5/26 are just as good as Rotterdam, and probably 4/24 too!

My favorite show of the tour just might be 5/3...

http://www.archive.org/details/gd72-05-03.sbd.masse.142.sbeok.shnf

04/07/72 (92*)
04/08/72 (99+)
04/11/72 (94)
04/14/72 (100)
04/16/72 (94)
04/17/72 (96)
04/21/72 (89)
04/24/72 (99+)
04/26/72 (99)
04/29/72 (94*)
05/03/72 (99)
05/04/72 (98)
05/07/72 (98+)
05/10/72 (98)
05/11/72 (100)
05/13/72 (95)
05/16/72 (97)
05/18/72 (96)
05/23/72 (97)
05/24/72 (96)
05/25/72 (97*)
05/26/72 (100)

Reply [edit]

Poster: duckpond74 Date: Dec 23, 2010 7:31am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

Agreed and indeed, Cliff, 5/3 is the one for me. From Truckin' through Wharf Rat they manage to go from bombastic to majestic with an Other One that stands alone for its depth and beauty - truly cinematic in its feel and massively panoramic in its scope. The whole show sparkles with the China Cat/Rider and Good Lovin' as other standouts in a show that is IMO, the cream of rich Europe '72 crop.

Not to diminish their stature, Rotterdam 5/11, The Strand 5/26, Tivoli 4/14, Paris 5/4 are all amazing in their own right and never fail to please and/or amaze, but that night of May 3rd in Paris is so deep, so organic, so synergistic that it still stands out after all these years and countless listenings. With so many twists and turns, there are moments in The Other One that could easily stand as audio backdrops or metaphors for the recent Californian rains, and yet there are also those moments of quiet closeness like a slow walk through a dense fog - shrouded in mystery and foretelling . . .

For those who haven't spent time with this gem, I recommend giving it a serious listen during your next extended rain or snowstorm.

and kind wishes of happy holidays to all with hopes of health, happiness, peace and prosperity to you in your new year . . .





Reply [edit]

Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Dec 23, 2010 5:05pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

Love your eloquent wordage on 5/3/72, gotta put it on right now!

Reply [edit]

Poster: duckpond74 Date: Dec 23, 2010 5:11pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

Thanks for the kind words, Cliff. Reading your review of Concertgebouw was so enticing, I had to dig out my copy for a serious listen right then. Your 'roadmap' of The Other One added to the anticipation and appreciation. Thanks for all of your work on documenting the Europe '72 tour . . . just brilliant!

Enjoy your listen and good wishes to you and yours for the holiday and well beyond, peace

Reply [edit]

Poster: BVD Date: Dec 23, 2010 7:05am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

I also enjoy 5/3 probably more than the other shows. I think it contains the greatest China>Rider ever.Wasn't there skuttlebutt a few yrs ago that this tour was going to get the box treatment?

Reply [edit]

Poster: deadmax Date: Dec 23, 2010 8:12am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

I'm with you on the 5/3. Of course I love 4/8 too even though it rarely gets mentioned. I like the usuals but I always go back to 5/3.

As a matter of fact I'll have to revisit it when I'm done reviewing November and December 73.

Reply [edit]

Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Dec 23, 2010 4:42pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

Youre absolutely right about 4/8 Max. It's right up there with the best of the tour and the Wembley Dark Star might be the best of the bunch. Looking forward to reading your Fall '73 notes.

Reply [edit]

Poster: AltheaRose Date: Dec 23, 2010 7:07am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

I'm curious, Cliff ... You have this amazingly specific ranking system; what separates a 99+ show from a 100 for you? A 95 from a 97? Do you have a kind of checklist you're listening for, or is it impressionistic, or both?

Reply [edit]

Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Dec 23, 2010 3:53pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

"Do you have a kind of checklist you're listening for, or is it impressionistic, or both?"

No checklist, it's purely impressionistic. I factor in the setlist and sound quality, but it's weighted more heavily towards the playing and musicianship. Shows like 6/24/70 and 11/8/70 still garner perfect scores in spite of their sonic deficiencies. A show such as 4/16/78 I will score fairly high based on its brilliant sound quality.

Obviously there is little separating a 99+ and 100 point score, it's purely subjective! Each listening experience is slightly different. Reviewing shows will always be a work in progress for me. Many scores will change slightly from time to time. It's just like Robert Parker says of older wines, "there are no great wines, just great bottles."

Reply [edit]

Poster: AltheaRose Date: Dec 23, 2010 9:33pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

Subjective, eh? So you could change your mind! Let us know when you run into a great bottle of '85. (I'd say '95, but I think someone would have to clonk you on the head with the bottle for that to happen.)

Hope your holiday is a 100. Or at least a 97+ :-)

Reply [edit]

Poster: SomeDarkHollow Date: Dec 23, 2010 11:45am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

From Cliff's post back in January 2010: The parenthetical numbers are my scores for those shows. Its a 100 point scale based on the system Robert Parker, Clive Coates, the Wine Spectator Magazine and others use for rating wines. Its based on the performance with the sound quality of the available files factored in. I find rating shows by (5) stars to be too restrictive. Of course it's purely subjective... 98-100 pts An extraordinary show of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic show. These are "the best of the best". Profound musicianship and jamming, a thrilling setlist, and perfect or near perfect sound quality. Shows of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, download, own, and consume! 96-98 pts An outstanding show of exceptional complexity and character. Absolutely must own shows. The playing/jamming is performed at an extremely high-level. The sound quality is excellent by the standards of the period, however minor sonic anomalies (hiss) or cuts may be present. In short, these are phenomenal shows! 94-96 pts An excellent show. High-level playing/jamming, but perhaps with some lapses or inconsistencies. Shows may contain some sonic anomalies, however they are still easily enjoyable. These are shows that you absolutely must hear, and most aficionados will still wish to collect. 92-94 pts Well above average shows, definitely worth the listen and likely a download as well. There may be some moments of brilliance, but perhaps marred by significant sonic issues or lapses/inconsistencies in playing. 90-92 pts Barely above average to very good for the period displaying various degrees of finesse and flavor as well as character. The set-lists and playing may not be entirely inspiring, sonic annoyances may detract somewhat from the listening experience, but these shows still provide enjoyment! 89-90 pts An average show with little distinction except that it is competently played. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous show.
This post was modified by SomeDarkHollow on 2010-12-23 19:45:30

Reply [edit]

Poster: Jim F Date: Dec 24, 2010 10:47pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

I'm assuming the use of an asterisk is to denote that the musicians were under the influence of performance enhancing drugs a la Barry Bonds?

Reply [edit]

Poster: AltheaRose Date: Dec 25, 2010 9:24am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

Nah, I think it indicates the times they weren't.

Reply [edit]

Poster: Diamondhead Date: Dec 23, 2010 11:26am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

Thank you!

Reply [edit]

Poster: ducats Date: Dec 23, 2010 4:15pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: hey cliff

i'm up to good lovin and my 3rd beer - need to retract an 81 (although it was a little keyboard in cheek at the time) as best yr comment i made - don't know what year i want to change it to but it will have to start with a 197. + i have the better 1/2 in front of me!
This post was modified by ducats on 2010-12-24 00:15:59